Turkish capture of Smyrna

Turkish capture of Smyrna
Part of the Greco-Turkish War (1919–22)

The entry of the Turkish Army into İzmir. (77 cm × 53 cm, Museum of Ataturk and the War of Independence Museum)
Date9 September 1922
Location
Smyrna, Ottoman Empire (modern İzmir, Turkey)
Result

Turkish victory

Territorial
changes		 Greek withdrawal from Anatolia
Belligerents
Grand National Assembly Greece
Commanders and leaders
Fahrettin Pasha Aristeidis Stergiadis
Strength
40,000 (İzmir's Defense, 4 divisions)[1]

The Turkish capture of Smyrna (Turkish: İzmir'in Kurtuluşu; Liberation of İzmir) was the final phase of the Great Offensive and last battle of the Turkish War of Independence.[1] After the Turkish Army inflicted heavy losses on the Greek Army at Dumlupınar, on 30 August 1922, Greek forces were in continual retreat towards Smyrna (modern İzmir) as the Turkish Army's westward advance continued. On the eve of the Turkish arrival, Greek forces left the city, and on 8 September, at ten o'clock in the morning, the Greek administration ceased to exist in Smyrna.[2] On 9 September 1922, the Turkish Army entered İzmir from Kemalpaşa to the east.

Legacy

9 September is a local holiday commemorating the Turkish capture of İzmir Province and the end of the Greek occupation of Smyrna.[3] Dokuz Eylül University (9 September University) is named in honor of the event.[4] Mustafa Kemal (later Atatürk), who founded the Republican People's Party, chose 9 September 1923 as the official establishment date of his party to commemorate the capture of Smyrna.

See also

References
  1. Greeks surrender Smyrna to Turks after shell fire, New York Times, published September 10, 1922.
  2. Karavasilis, Niki (2010). The Whispering Voice of Smyrna. ISBN 9781434952974.
  3. Turkey’s Izmir marks 97th anniversary of Liberation Day
  4. ABOUT DOKUZ EYLÜL UNIVERSITY

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